Paws Press

IN THIS ISSUE

Moxie the Doxie By the Numbers Pet First Aid Classes at ARF The 2008 Calendars are Here! You're Invited! Critter Camp In Critter Construction Camp Fall Classes for Kids are Here Pamper Your Pooch with ARF's Canine Fashions Speak Spanish? ARF Needs Your Help ARF's Pet Hug Pack at the California Symphony ARF Day at Color Me Mine Wills & Trusts Seminar Donate to ARF Fall Means Workplace Campaigns Adoption Fees Change Meet the Volunteer Volunteer Help Needed Training Opportunities Adoption Stars Happy Endings

September 2007

Moxie the Doxie

Usually dogs and cats arrive healthy and happy at ARF, eager to begin their new lives, one enveloped by a loving and caring family. Upon arrival at ARF, most require a simple dose of tender loving care to prepare them for their new forever homes. Sometimes though, a special creature comes along in need a different level of care for a medical condition. Thankfully though, ARF is able to provide a prescription of “Hope”.

ARF has just the cure for these patients – the Hope Fund. This fund was created to help animals rescued by ARF’s rescue patrol receive the necessary and often times, extraordinary medical treatments and care. Through the Hope Fund, ARF is able to provide these ailing creatures with medical necessities to ensure each receives the best opportunity possible of a new life, free of pain and suffering.

One such dog is Moxie. “Moxie the Doxie”, is an adorable 6-year-old Dachshund rescued by ARF’s rescue patrol from a public shelter’s death row. It was obvious to the rescue patrol that sweet, friendly Moxie was experiencing severe pain in her hind area and was unable to even use her back legs. ARF staff however, looked past Moxie’s disabilities and sensed in her a strong sense of love and affection. Knowing Moxie would eventually become an exceptional companion for a lucky family, the rescue patrol brought her back to ARF.

Upon arrival at ARF, Moxie was immediately placed in foster care for some much needed rest and rehabilitation to heal her ailing back legs. Unfortunately, Moxie’s needs required much more to end her suffering. ARF’s medical staff discovered that Moxie’s ongoing severe pain prevented her from moving her neck from side to side. The initial prognosis is that Moxie has a disk problem in her neck. To confirm this prognosis, Moxie requires a full neurological workup in order for ARF’s medical staff to determine the correct surgical path needed to repair the disk. Without this neurological workup and surgery, Moxie’s condition will worsen to the point she will suffer her remaining years in excruciating and debilitating pain.

Thankfully, ARF has the cure for Moxie’s pain, but still needs your help. Please help ARF fill a prescription of “Hope”. Only through your generous gift to the Hope Fund, can ARF help Moxie and others like her. Your donation truly makes the difference between life and death. Please help provide hope for ARF’s dogs and cats in need of special medical treatment, by donating to the Hope Fund today.

Be confident and prepared in the event of your pet's medical emergency.

All classes are held at ARF, located at 2890 Mitchell Drive in Walnut Creek, California. The next session will take place on Thursday, September 13 and 20 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

The September class is full. Sign up now for the class on December 6 and 13.

Sign up today, space is limited!

Headliners from the world of music, all-star athletes and top-flight entertainers are appearing in ARF's 2008 celebrity pet calendar.

These beautiful, large full-color calendars measure 12 1/2" x 9 1/2" and are sponsored by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company in an effort to support ARF. Photographs in the calendar feature each star with one or more animals.

Are you tired of buying the big entertainment coupon books only to find most of the good deals are out of your area? Now there's a book geared to great deals right here in Central Contra Costa County. It's called You're Invited!

Check out You're Invited at Lou Russa's Boutique and the Thrift Store. You'll find discounts from many of your favorite places to dine as well as incredible savings on groceries, car maintenance, and golf courses! Whole Foods, Toscana, El Balazo, Baskin Robbins, Pyramid Ale House and Hiddenbrooke Golf Club are just a few of the favorites and they're all local! Each book contains over $2,400 in discounts and you can start using the discounts immediately and continue throughout 2008.

Quantities are limited so stop by either location today. At $20 a book, they're sure to sell out quickly.

Time for another camp in! Come stay with us for a night and participate in animal related activities. Children will play games, makes crafts, watch movies, eat snacks and then fall asleep next to the cats.

Who: Children 3th-5th grade
When: Friday, October 5, 7 p.m. – 8 a.m.
What: An all night sleep over at ARF
Where: 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Cost: $50 per child

ARF will provide pizza and salad for dinner along with snacks throughout the evening. Games and crafts are also included. Please have your child bring all personal items such as a pillow, sleeping bag, toiletries, pajamas, and their favorite plush animal.

If you wish to have your child attend please call (925) 296-3106 by Monday, October 1. Space is limited so call today! A class application must be filled out to attend this event.

A busy summer at Camp ARF culminated with a bang — the banging of hammers! ARF’s Critter Construction camp gave students the opportunity to build and stain a large play structure and cat ramp - as well as paint numerous kitty cubes, scratching posts and towers. The campers planted cat grass, played animal-related games, spent some quality time with members of ARF’s therapy animal team, and spruced up the ARF grounds.

While working cooperatively to create stimulating environments for ARF's shelter animals, the students learned the basics of carpentry, painting and building improvement. The achievements of these hard-working campers will bring enjoyment to ARF’s guests, both human and animal, for years to come.

School is back in session and so are ARF classes. ARF offers a range of humane education courses for pre-school, elementary, middle and high school students.

The Reading with Animals course encourages preschool and elementary school students to practice their reading skills in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment. Furry members of ARF’s Pet Hug Pack are “all ears” during story time and offer reassurance to even the most timid readers. ARF’s Kind Kids Club teaches students in grades 1-5 about animal companionship, pet care and behavior through hands on activities, crafts and games.

For middle and high school students, ARF offers a Web Wizards course to teach the basics of Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Flash. Students brainstorm, sketch, and design material for sections of the ARF website.

If your middle or high school student is eager to volunteer for ARF, consider signing him/her up for the ARF All Stars Volunteer Training Program. This 15-week course teaches the basics of cat and dog body language, correct socialization techniques and introduces students to the wide variety of tasks they would perform as volunteers.

For more information and to sign up for Fall classes at ARF, please visit the ARF website. Classes are filling up quickly. Send in your application today!

I Love Mommy
and
Everyone's Best Friend
Doggie Cargo Tanks

100% cotton with cargo pocket on the back, perfect for
dog treats! Available in five sizes, so there's one that's
sure to fit your dog. Order yours today!
$18.50

ARF is looking to translate some of its materials into Spanish and need your help. Starting with ARF's general brochure, the organization is looking for someone who can translate the English versions of the handouts into Spanish. You do not have to be a current volunteer, the only requirement is that you be able to translate and write in Spanish. This project may be completed on your own time at home if you wish. ARF will provide you with any materials you need. For more information or if you would like to help, please contact Kathleen at khuls@arf.net.

FREE CONCERTS IN CONCORD AND SAN RAMON ON SEPTEMBER 15 – 16

Events will also feature well-known Journey keyboardist, Jonathan Cain.

Among the unusual guest line-up will be Dogs Can Dance, the extraordinary 13-year-old vocalist Carrie Brandon, and some of your favorite “Star Wars” characters appearing as part of a tribute to the blockbuster film’s 30th anniversary. An hour before the concerts, kids of all ages can play with ARF's lovable “Pet Hug Pack” dogs. These dogs visit hospitals and other facilities throughout the county to provide a “healing connection” for abused children, victims of violence, and the elderly.

This year’s musical repertoire will include selections from such popular films and Broadway musicals as “West Side Story,” “How the West Was Won,” “Cats,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Star Wars”; as well as patriotic standards as “Stars and Stripes” and “Salute to the Armed Services”; and a variety of songs about animals. Among the latter will be “Man’s Best Friend” by well-known Journey keyboardist, Jonathan Cain – who will personally perform the song at both concerts.

The 8th annual Pops on the Plaza concert presented by Target is scheduled for Saturday, September 15, at 6 p.m. in downtown Concord at Todos Santos Plaza (Willow Pass and Grant).

The 3rd annual Bishop Ranch Symphony in the Park Concert is scheduled for Sunday, September 16, at 5:30 p.m. at San Ramon’s Central Park (12501 Alcosta Blvd.).

Free parking and senior and handicapped seating available. Bring a picnic lunch and blanket, and enjoy these live concerts with the whole family. To learn more about California Symphony’s programs or its upcoming season performances, please visit www.CaliforniaSymphony.org.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12

Visit Color Me Mine and show your creativity! Purchase and paint a project at Color Me Mine on Friday, October 12 and 20 percent of all proceeds will benefit ARF and its life-saving programs. The ARF Adoption Mobile will also be on-site from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. with furry friends available for adoption.

Color Me Mine of Walnut Creek
1950 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
(925) 280-2888

Be ARF's guest at a Wills & Trusts Seminar on October 18, 2007 at 6 p.m. Featured presenter Sarah S. Nix from Gagen McCoy will make wills and trusts understandable, practical and fun.

Enjoy a relaxing, informal setting and learn if you need a will.  Have your questions answered by Sarah S. Nix, attorney-at-law.  There is no charge to attend.

Karla Bissell, ARF's development manager, will discuss the Guardian Program and planning for your furry family members when you are no longer here to care for them.

Please RSVP to Karla at (925) 296-3103 or kbissell@arf.net.

Take Advantage of the Charitable IRA Rollover

The Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Rollover allows for direct gifts of cash from IRAs. Under the current provision (set to expire at the end of this year), a donor who has reached the age of 70½ is allowed to exclude from his or her income, any IRA funds up to $100,000 that are withdrawn and transferred to a charity when filing a tax return for the year of the transfer. The Charitable IRA Rollover permits taxpayers to make donations directly to charitable organizations from their IRAs without counting them as part of their adjusted gross income and, consequently, without paying taxes on them.

Contact your financial or legal advisor to learn more about the Charitable IRA Rollover and how you can receive tax benefits while helping ARF provide life-saving services to people and animals in need.

Fall is the purrrrfect time to ask your company how you can choose ARF for your workplace giving gifts. These gifts create miracles for dogs and cats who have been rescued from public shelters by ARF's rescue patrol. Many companies make it convenient for employees to give to their favorite charities by referencing "Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation" while others use United Way, Local Independent Charities or the government's Combined Federal Campaign (code # 3130).

Introduce your co-workers to ARF! ARF would be thrilled to bring a special furry guest to your next campaign meeting, or bring everyone at the office to ARF for a fun-filled field trip.

Call (925) 296-3103 or email kbissell@arf.net to arrange a visit to your office or a tour of ARF.

Effective Thursday, August 30

What are the new adoption fees?

Why are the adoption fees changing?

The increase to dog fees is because the cost to rescue dogs has increased with rising gasoline prices and the number of dogs who become or arrive ill. The additional revenue will help ARF continue to pursue its mission and provide appropriate resources to shelter guests. ARF's ability to adopt dogs has increased. ARF hopes adopters will continue to come, adopt, and support ARF's work. 

The decrease to cat fees is ARF’s effort to send more cats to more homes. Since all ARF cats are rescued locally, the price of gasoline is less. ARF is in the business of saving lives and performing more adoptions allows ARF to save more lives and enrich more families. 

Dogs have higher fees than cats because their adoption includes a 7-week training course with some of the best trainers in the Bay Area.

These fees are still comparable to other similar shelters in the Bay Area. 

Birgit with Kayla Bicker

Birgit Pearson has been an esteemed ARF volunteer since November 1998. She had retired from her job as a career counselor for Management Employees around the same time her beloved dog passed away. When Birgit and her husband began traveling, she didn’t feel it would be fair to adopt another dog as she was away from home so much. However, she still needed her ‘fur fix”, which began her journey with ARF.

In November 1998, Birgit walked into the ARF trailer to sign up as a dog walker. At that time though, all ARF dogs were housed in foster homes and there wasn’t a need for dog walkers. Still, Birgit fell in love with Kayla, a Golden Retriever belonging to Elena Bicker, who at the time was ARF’s marketing director (now executive director). In order to continue her friendship with Kayla, Birgit stayed on with ARF to assist with marketing’s event needs, filing paperwork, stuffing goodie bags, shuttling celebrities, etc.

As ARF grew, adoptions were held in parking lots around Contra Costa County. Birgit was always there, shadowing adoption volunteers and learning how to make a perfect match between canines and humans. She has since become one of the most respected adoption counselors at ARF and continues to make her own perfect matches every week. In addition, Birgit helps during events, especially shuttling for Celebrities FORE! ARF, which to this day remains her favorite ARF event.

When she’s not volunteering at ARF, Birgit is traveling around the world or visiting with her children and granddaughter. Currently, she’s looking forward to the birth of her second grandchild who is expected to arrive soon.

What do you like most about volunteering at ARF?
Dog adoption counseling is my niche. You have to volunteer for what you believe in. I enjoy interviewing the families and helping match them with the right dog for their lifestyle and home environment.

What is your most memorable memory at ARF?
This would be every time I walk a newly adopted dog out to the car with their new family. ARF is so busy with adoptions that the counselors need to move on to the next family and the contract managers and valets take over to complete the adoption process. When I get to follow the family through to the very end, I think of it as my memorable moments. It‘s a wonderful feeling.

What would you like your motto to be?
Roll up your sleeves and do what needs to be done.

An extremely good motto indeed!

For a complete listing of current volunteer needs, please visit ARF's volunteer opportunities page.

Adoptions - Fostering
Curious about fostering?
What: Get the scoop on the joys of caring for dogs or cats, kittens or puppies in your home. Hear about the realities and rewards of short-term fostering from experienced foster parents and ARF's foster coordinator. Bring your concerns and questions to this FREE no-obligation presentation.
When: Tuesday, September 18 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Prerequisite: Open to the public.
Contact: To reserve a seat contact Gaye McDuff at gmcduff@arf.net or (925) 296-3130.

Thrift Store Cashier
Do you enjoy working in a retail environment?
What: Ring up sales and serve customers at ARF's Thrift Store. Help sort donated items and stock merchandise.
Where: 1950 Market St., Concord
When: 2-4 hour shifts available during the week.
Prerequisite: Must be at least 18. On the job training provided. Must be able to provide great customer service.
Contact: Bob Gallagher at bgallagher@arf.net or (925) 685-0908.

Please note, all volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation prior to joining any training classes. If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer, please visit our Volunteering at ARF page.

Current volunteers, please use the Volunteer Central website if you would like to sign up for any of the listed classes. If you do not have access to Volunteer Central, please call (925) 296-3118 or email volrsvp@arf.net. Be sure to leave your name and number along with the class you wish to attend.

Are you looking for a little lap warmer? Weighing in at about 7 pounds, 1-1/2 year-old Nat is a gentle, snuggly and sensitive little guy who is looking for a lap. Nat will definitely benefit from being in a chihuahua savvy home where the adopter can coax him out of his shell and provide him with lots of confidence building and socialization. He is available to chihuahua savvy homes with children 14 years and older.

Meet Nat at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive at Oak Grove Road in Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon - 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find out more about how ARF's adoption program works.

If you're looking for a kitty who will shower you with affection, Snow White would be a wonderful candidate. She is a 2-year-old short haired Chocolate Calico who is gentle, affectionate and social. She will want you all to herself so she needs to be the only cat in the household.

Meet Snow White at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive at Oak Grove Road in Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon - 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find out more about how ARF's adoption program works.

Hello ARF!

Over five years ago, I adopted my best little buddy (whose name is now Schatzi) from ARF in Walnut Creek. I now reside in Atlanta, Georgia and Schatzi and I have been through many events together during the last five years. Schatzi means the world to me, and I just wanted to pass along some thanks and good wishes! I am attaching one of Schatzi's pictures.

- Rhonda (and Schatzi)

Hello - here are some photos of our new dog (Deuce), now named Van Gogh. We love him tremendously. He has brought lots of love, laughter, and perhaps a few gray hairs into our lives. :-) We love having him around.

He enjoys runs on Stinson Beach, hikes in the Lafayette Hills, doggie treats, training classes, running amok with the neighbor's dogs, chewing drink coasters (ahem!), barking, sneaking up onto the couch, chewing his Kong toy, playing fetch, trips to Petco, and most of all...sleeping.

Thanks for everything - more photos to come in the future!

Aline and Nikko

You can help other animals like Schatzi and Van Gogh find their special homes by making an online donation on our secure server today!

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